III. _The Assizes in 1215._ The petty assizes, when invented by Henry II., were resented bitterly as innovations; but public opinion, half a century later, had abundantly vindicated the wisdom of this part of his reforms. The insurgent barons in 1215 were far from demanding their abolition; their new grievance was rather that sessions of the justices of assize were not held often enough. They prescribed the way in which these assizes, now grown so popular, were to be held, and several points were specially emphasized. (1) No inquiry of the kind was to be held elsewhere than in the county where the property was situated. Justice was in such cases to be brought to every landowner’s door, although pleas of the Crown might still follow the king, and ordinary common pleas had to be taken to Westminster. This was intended to save expense and to meet the convenience of litigants, of those who served on assizes, and of all concerned.[564] Within two years, however, it was seen that this provision went too far. It was more convenient to hold certain inquiries before the Bench at Westminster than in the particular locality. The reissue of 1217 therefore made two important modifications: (_a_) All assizes of darrein presentment were thereafter to be taken before “the Justices of the Bench.” (_b_) Any assize of novel disseisin or of mort d’ancestor revealing points of special difficulty, might also be reserved for the decision of the Bench. An element of uncertainty was thus introduced, of which the Crown took advantage. In a reported case of the year 1221 it was decided that an assize of mort d’ancestor should be held in its own county, not at Westminster.[565] ----- Footnote 564: Thus two successive chapters of Magna Carta emphasize two divergent tendencies: c. 17 had demanded that “common pleas” should all be held at Westminster, while c. 18 demands that “assizes” should _not_ be taken there. In both cases, the object was to consult the convenience of litigants. Footnote 565: See Bracton’s _Note Book_, case No. 1478; a case also cited by Coke (_Second Institute, proem._). If this assize had presented points of special difficulty it might have been held at Westminster without violating Magna Carta. ----- (2) John’s Charter further insists on quarterly circuits of Justices of Assize; so that litigants in every county of England might have four opportunities each year of having their disputes amicably settled. Such excessive frequency was quite uncalled for, and involved unnecessary expense on the king, and an amount of labour on his officers out of all proportion to the good effected. The Charter of 1217, accordingly, provided that a circuit should be made only once a year. In 1285, however, it was enacted that they might be held three times a year, but not oftener.[566] ----- Footnote 566: 13 Edward I. c. 30. Stephen, _History of Criminal Law_, 105–7, gives further details. -----